How Do I Deal with Traumatic Mental Images?
I’m plagued by what I saw.
The pictures in my brain will not go away.
I add to them other things that I have imagined.
These images haunt me.
How do I deal with this?
How do I get rid of the pictures in my mind?
One terrible truth in life is that we can’t un-see something.
Visual images lodge themselves in our minds. If we witness something traumatic, like the suffering and death of someone important to us, that image sears a pathway in our brains. Our minds tend to go there repeatedly.
Traumatic mental images are a huge part of post-traumatic stress.
Our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls have witnessed a shocking event.
We’re hit on every level of our being.
Many times, we add to what we’ve seen by creating scenes of what we imagine occurred. Even if we didn’t witness the traumatic event, we create pictures in our minds of what it might have been like. We contemplate what our friend or loved one might have felt – emotionally and physically. Our imaginary images can be haunting as well.
Post-traumatic stress like this can be debilitating. Flashbacks are often unnerving and terrifying. It’s like we’re right back there reliving the horrors all over again. Our anxiety can go through the roof. Panic attacks can become commonplace.
If you witnessed the death of your loved one or friend, please be kind to yourself. Experiencing post-traumatic stress is common in such cases. This is painful, disorienting, and extremely challenging.
Disturbing mental images need to be proactively processed. It’s hard for us to do that by ourselves. We need other people to help us.
We need safe people, good listeners, and compassionate and competent guides to walk with us in this.
If you’re dealing with painful mental images or post-traumatic stress, please consider seeking expert help and assistance from a mental health professional who is well-acquainted with such things.
Is it possible to recover and heal from such things? Yes. That may be hard to imagine right now, but you are not alone in experiencing severe trauma. Many have walked this path, sought and received what they needed, and learned to manage this deep pain and begin to use it to heal and grow.
Struggling with traumatic mental images is natural and common for those who have witnessed disturbing scenes. We can’t un-see something, but with help we can begin to deal with what we’ve seen in healthy ways that lead to recovery and healing.
Affirmation:
I’ll need help to deal well with any disturbing, traumatic images. I’ll reach out, find the help I need, and learn
to deal with this pain in a way that leads to healing.
Suggestions:
If you’re experiencing disturbing, repetitive mental images, here are some things to remember and consider.
wounded hearts through post-traumatic stress. You want to find ways to take care of yourself, heal, and grow. This honors your loved one and empowers you to have healthier relationships with others.Please know that this internalized trauma does not simply go away on its own. The passing of time will not chase it away. We heal when we take our hearts seriously and process what’s happening inside us.Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. This is hard. Healing takes time.
Excerpt from The Grief Guidebook: Common Questions, Compassionate Answers, Practical Suggestions.
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. (Psalm 10:14)
Question: Do you struggle with traumatic mental images related to your loss? Please feel free to share by commenting below.
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